What is DBT Skills Training Group ? |
Modules Included: |
Difficulties in regulating emotions- both under and over control, underlie many behavioural patterns that prevent one from living a full, enriching life. They can impact one’s psychological wellness and quality of life by leading to self- harm behaviours, instability in moods, difficulties in interpersonal relationships and unhealthy self image. The skills taught in this group specifically target these issues.
The overall goal of skills training is to help individuals change behavioral, emotional, thinking, and interpersonal patterns associated with problems in living. Each session comprises discussions on tools that relate to and can be directly applied to issues that one may encounter in their daily living. The group is informed by Dialectical Behaviour Therapy or DBT, which is an evidence- based cognitive behavioural approach to finding balance, acceptance, as well as changing behaviours that are no longer helping us. |
The following four modules will be covered in a training cycle of 6 months:
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steps for participant
1. Go through the brochure first.
2. If okay with all requirements, get therapist/ psychiatrist to fill referral form.
3. Call / email Antarman expressing interest to join and pay the fees for the first session in advance (non- refundable).
Steps for referring clinicians
1. Go through the brochure.
2. Suggest the group to clients that fit the participants profile and share the brochure.
3. Fill out referral form for client if client agrees.
4. Ask client to contact Antarman.
2. Suggest the group to clients that fit the participants profile and share the brochure.
3. Fill out referral form for client if client agrees.
4. Ask client to contact Antarman.
What are the ground rules for participating in this group ?
- Members must be above 18 years of age.
- Members have to be in ongoing individual therapy, and provide the skills training team written permission to talk to their therapist to co- ordinate treatment. Their individual therapist will help them practice and integrate the skills they are learning and will be the first person they will call in a crisis, depending on their guidelines.
- Members must record the diary card and do the assigned skills homework every week. This is important because it allows one to recall what happened during the week and reveals patterns in life that one may want to work on changing. It also allows one to identify other influences that affect one’s well being. The homework provides an opportunity to practice the skills learned in skill training group, in everyday life.
- Members will be considered to be out of the skills training group if they miss 4 sessions in a row. If one would like to rejoin the group after missing a large portion of the module in this way, one might need to wait for the beginning of the next module or group cycle. A member will be allowed back into the group after a discussion in this regard with the group facilitators.
- Members must arrive for skills training on time and must not leave before the session is over. They must contact and inform the group facilitators if they are late or intend to be absent from a session. If they do not inform the facilitators, they and the rest of the group may worry about them and this could affect the way the group runs.
- Group members support each other. Members who cannot control open hostility and aggression toward others are not permitted in group sessions.
- To enable the group to achieve its objectives, it is important that we create a sense of safety and confidentiality for everyone. Members and facilitators must not share the names of other members, their issues or what has been discussed by them with others who are not part of the skills training group.
- For everyone’s safety, members do not discuss, inside or outside sessions, current or past problem behaviors that could be contagious or triggering to others, such as self- harm and parasuicidal behaviors. Sometimes these issues may come up inside the group, when facilitators are present to help everyone. However, outside the group or once a session is over, group members may feel triggered and not know how to handle their reactions. Therefore, members are asked to avoid such discussions. We generally ask that if you need to discuss these behaviors that you not go into detail so that the risk of triggering other people is minimized. If you feel that it is absolutely crucial to discuss these, please do so with your group facilitators in private.
- Group members do not form confidential or sexual relationships with one another. If someone is involved in a sexual relationship with another group member or they collaborate in risky/ criminal behaviours or drug use, then both group members will be asked to leave the group. Also, If there is an existing partnership or intimate relationship, bringing that relationship into the group risks setting up an “us/them” dynamic that is disruptive to the safety of the group, and therefore only one member from such a partnership would be permitted to join the group.
- Group facilitators are also bound by professional ethics and cannot become friends with any of the group members.
- Members must not use alcohol or drugs prior to coming to the sessions because one is not likely benefit much from the discussion in the state and may also be disruptive to the rest of the group.
Facilitator Profiles
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Nitasha Borah , Clinical Psychologist
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Madhura Joshi, Rehabilitation Psychologist
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Nitasha Borah is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (M.Phil) registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India and a Certified Arts- Based Therapist. She is also an empanelled subject expert with the Council and Affiliate Member of the American Psychological Association’s Division 12-Society of Clinical Psychology, USA.
Nitasha has been working with individuals seeking to enhance their emotional health & psychological well-being for over a decade. She has extensive training and specialised skills in psychological assessments, individual & group therapies & has integrated DBT in her work for several years. As a therapist & individual, she finds herself moved & inspired by the way in which people honour their own capacity to heal themselves & find their way to their individual truth. |
“All people have existing strengths & capabilities as well as the capacity to become more competent”- this philosophy of empowerment forms a strong foundation of Madhura’s work with individuals & families. Madhura Joshi holds a Master’s Degree in Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Counselling & is a Rehabilitation Council of India registered Rehabilitation Psychologist. She has also completed her DBT skills training online course with Marsha Linehan, the developer of DBT & founder of Behavioral Tech, U.S.A. She has worked on various research projects in disability and mental health in Goa.
Madhura has found DBT Skills useful at the personal & professional level & integrates DBT Skills in her private practice with individual clients. |